Mle 1892 8mm Revolver (French) with Documentation

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...65b1fddd-1.jpg
The paper is in three pieces and is quite fragile so it stays in the slip cover.

Fortunately, the revolver itself is in rather better shape:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff074-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff076-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff075-1.jpg

It's had a range trip, but ammo isn't exactly common. Smooth if somewhat heavy double action pull. The trigger pull with the hammer cocked is nothing special, but it's quite adequate for a combat sidearm.

Nicely made, if just a little odd.

That's a fantastic piece! Is this a revolver that was captured by a family member?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anzac15

That's a fantastic piece! Is this a revolver that was captured by a family member?

---

It is nice, thanks! But, no, no family history for me. Lots of family involvement during the war, everthing from the Manhattan Project to bulldozing runways in the Pacific, but the only item that might have been aquired overseas is unprovable in origin. And probably best remains that way...

Had another Mle. 1892 but it wasn't as "pretty". It ended up being used as trading fodder, but it wasn't an action lightly undertaken. It probably had actually been fielded.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmoore

It's had a range trip, but ammo isn't exactly common. Smooth if somewhat heavy double action pull. The trigger pull with the hammer cocked is nothing special, but it's quite adequate for a combat sidearm.

---

I have tested one of these revolvers that was ruined on the outside. No collector's showpiece!. But the mechanism was perfect, and it performed well. I measured the DA pull as 7.3 kg - typical military "emergency use only" - and the SA pull as 4.0 kg. I agree with your verdict. But it could have been improved to make a quite acceptable target revolver.

New member dutchbert apparently has a Mle. 1892 without the loading gate. He's looking for dimensions for this part so a new one can be fabricated. I've offered to do photos and give some dimensional info which won't require detail stripping my one example. But it seems the easy way out would be to inquire if anyone might have a spare!

Should do a range trip soon with this revolver soon, anyway, so refreshing this thread seemed logical.

Hi,

Jmoore kindly agreed to make photos and measurements of the part missing on my mle1892 revolver. I would need these to have the part fabricated by a friend of mine - as an experiment for the use of his newly acquired 3D-printer. (You may have read about this new production technique.) I would need exact measurements, also of the 'backside' of the part, which is hidden from view if you don't take the revolver apart.

Jmoore's suggestion to ask you guys if you have the part as a spare is of course the better option, but I have little hope of this being successful. Not even French weapons masters have reacted to my inquiries...

Regards, Bert

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...34188864-1.jpg

Got the revolver out and had a brief range session (very little ammo at hand, so...) Single action pull is heavy, very heavy! In fact, I think the double action pull is about as usable. Five rounds each at 25 yards, one handed:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...decc6486-1.jpg

Anyway, some latch details:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zps9929-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f1af2c97-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zps39e5-1.jpg

Interior view with latch closed:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8035abe2-1.jpg
And with latch open. (Note that the latch blocks the hammer.):
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0aed4d02-1.jpg

And some basic dimensions using metric calipers and a micrometer.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0452a1ec-1.jpg

This weapon is a perfect example of the saying " if you have to ask,you'll never understand." I see a mechanical masterpiece as fine as any Swiss watch.
They sure don't make'em like they used too.!!!

I've seen plastic stuff made with these new 3D printers, can metal parts be "printed"??

@Jmoore: excellent documentation! Great detail. I think my fabricating friend can work with these. Thank you!

@WarPig1976: One of the showcases of the 3D printer is in fact a firearm. I haven't seen it myself, but if I remember correctly it's an assault rifle. The only part they do not 'print' is the firing pin...
The plan to have the mle1892 part 'printed' is an experiment, with the thought in mind that it could always be replaced by a more conventionally fabricated version.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dutchbert

I think my fabricating friend can work with these.

---

You'll have to cipher out the various angles and centerline of the pivot by examining the frame. Probably would best be done with the expectation of some hand fitting. Easier to remove metal than put it back!

---------- Post added at 12:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 AM ----------

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WarPig1976

I see a mechanical masterpiece as fine as any Swiss watch.

---

It does have one of the most nicely finished interiors of any firearm I've ever examined. It also appeared to have extremely robust design of the moving parts. It looks odd, but it makes sense. How well it would do full of sand or mud I don't know. Might be TOO nice!

@jmoore: the fabricator has a question I should have thought of before: How is the lever secured to the frame? What makes sure the two don't come apart sponaniously?
Can you find out without taking the weapon apart?

I have no idea! If there's no retention evident in yoer revolver's frame, then it might be kind thoughts and spring tension holding it when opened. When closed, the beveled overhang at the top ought to engage with the frame, securing it sufficiently.

I'd be more inclined to do a pull apart if it weren't for that v-mainspring. Don't want to over-stress it for no good reason.

No, obviously. I wouldn't want you to damage your revolver. After all, it IS a hundred years old antique...
I like your idea of it being kept together by "kind thoughts" 8->
I'm going to contact another owner, a South African arms collector. It may be a while before I get back to you. He's a bit slow in responding...

BTW, for about US$50 plus shipping, somebody could answer all the questions about the loading gate. Numrich supposedly has at least one in stock:

SKU: 1103530

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufact...lver-38270.htm

Getting it across the pond is outside my experience, so no advice there...

Thanks for the tip. I will certainly keep it in mind, as a last resort.
I know gun parts can be expensive, but $47.30 for this part is a lot of money. Plus: for international orders Numrich charges a "$35.00 export handling fee". Now THAT sounds like a rip-off...

Numrich's "export handling" would consist of writing the word 'Netherlands' on the padded envelope...